Vampires are timeless, quite literally. Thanks to the blend of darkness, romance and supernatural intrigue, vampire-based stories have caught audiences’ attention and have been an intriguing subject over all these years.
Hits like the Twilight franchise and series like True Blood and The Vampire Diaries, created a tremendous wave of vampire-fans, giving rise to a demand for the stories based on these mythical creatures.
Similarly, vampires have been quite popular in the anime universe for over two decades. From classic adaptations to innovative original creations, vampire-based anime series have enthralled audiences with their rich lore, complex characters and thrilling storylines. Hint: Jojo’s Bizarre Aventure.
With their immortal allure and insatiable thirst for blood, vampires have become iconic figures within the medium, inspiring countless stories exploring the night’s darkness and the eternal struggle between light and shadow.
Please come back to me, Undead Girl Murder Farce pic.twitter.com/MjVPdVnGGt
— Agravain (@IncarnatedFiend) March 17, 2024
From Blood Lad, Shiki, Undead Murder Farce and Blood C to Rosario+Vampire, let’s dive into the world of vampire-based anime series, where the boundaries between the living and the undead blur.
Love vampires? These are the best anime series based on the mythical creature
Jojo’s Bizzare Adventure (2012)
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure follows the adventures of the Joestar family across multiple generations, each with its protagonist, often referred to as Jojo. The plot begins in the late 19th century with Jonathan Joestar, the first Jojo, as he clashes with the vampire Dio Brando, who becomes his bitter enemy after being adopted into the Joestar family. Their battle sets the stage for a centuries-long feud that spans generations.
Subsequent parts of the series introduce new Jojos and their allies, as they face off against a wide array of foes, including vampires, ancient gods and spirits. Throughout their journeys, the Jojos must master their newfound powers, forge alliances and confront their inner demons to protect their loved ones and defeat evil.
IMDb rating: 8.5/10
Undead Murder Farce (2021)
Taking place in an alternate historical period known as the Belle Époque era in the late 19th century, where humans coexist with supernatural beings like vampires and oni, Undead Murder Farce revolves around Tsugaru Shinuchi, an experimental half-oni nicknamed the Oni Slayer. He embarks on a quest alongside an immortal woman named Aya Rindo and her devoted servant, Shizuku Hasei.
Tsugaru seeks a method to prolong his life, while Aya, who exists only as a disembodied head, longs for death. Upon realising that a wealthy foreigner with an ‘M’ marked on his cane is responsible for their plight, they travel from Japan to Europe to confront him. In their pursuit, they aim to locate Aya’s missing body, hoping it will lead them to their target. As they navigate through Europe, they encounter various supernatural enigmas, with Tsugaru adopting the alias ‘The Cage User’, reflecting the birdcage he carries containing Aya’s head.
IMDb rating: 7.9/10
Blood+ (2005)
High school anime Blood+ centres around Saya Otonashi, an ordinary girl living in Okinawa. However, her life takes a drastic turn when she discovers she is a unique being known as a Chiropteran Queen. Chiropterans are vampiric creatures that prey on humans, and Saya possesses the power to hunt and kill them.
A mysterious organisation called the Red Shield, dedicated to combating the Chiropterans and protecting humanity from their threat, aids her. Alongside her companions, including the Haji and the members of the Red Shield, Saya embarks on a journey to eliminate the Chiropterans and uncover the truth about her own identity and past.
She confronts numerous challenges including powerful Chiropteran mutants, shadowy conspiracies and personal revelations about her origins. Along the way, she forms deep bonds with her allies and learns to harness her powers to fulfil her destiny as the Chiropteran Queen.
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
The Case Study of Vanitas (2021)
Set in an alternate steampunk version of 19th-century Paris, The Case Study of Vanitas follows a young vampire named Noé Archiviste who heads on a journey to find a mysterious book called The Book of Vanitas. This book is said to possess immense power and is rumoured to be capable of curing vampires of their afflictions. During his quest, Noé encounters a vampire named Vanitas, who claims to be the keeper of the book.
However, Vanitas is not just an ordinary vampire, he possesses a unique grimoire known as the ‘Grimoire of Vanitas’, which allows him to manipulate the essence of vampires, known as ‘The Curse’. Despite their initial mistrust of each other, Noé and Vanitas form an unlikely alliance as they look into the mysteries surrounding the Book of Vanitas and the origins of vampires. As the story progresses, the duo uncover dark secrets about the true nature of vampires, the history of their world and the tragic pasts that haunt them both.
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
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Shiki (2010)
Shiki is set in a small and remote village called Sotoba, nestled in the mountains of Japan. Life in Sotoba is peaceful and uneventful until a mysterious epidemic begins to spread, causing a series of unexplained deaths. As the death toll rises, the villagers become increasingly alarmed and paranoid, fearing that a supernatural force is at work.
Natsuno Yuuki is a sceptical and introverted teenager who is initially indifferent to the strange occurrences in Sotoba. However, when his friend unexpectedly dies and returns as one of the undead, he is caught in the mystery surrounding the epidemic. As Natsuno investigates the deaths, he discovers that the village is plagued by vampires known as Shiki, who are preying on the villagers under darkness.
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
Blood Lad (2013)
In Blood Lad, Staz Charlie Blood is a powerful vampire who rules over the Demon World’s Eastern District. Unlike most vampires who feed on humans, Staz has an obsession with Japanese culture, particularly anime, manga and video games. He spends his days lazing around and indulging in his hobbies.
However, Staz’s mundane existence is disrupted when a human girl named Fuyumi Yanagi accidentally wanders into the Demon World through a portal. Unfortunately, Fuyumi is killed by a carnivorous plant shortly after her arrival. Surprisingly, Fuyumi becomes a ghost rather than passing on to the afterlife. Intrigued by Fuyumi’s condition and smitten by her resemblance to a character from his favourite manga, Staz vows to find a way to resurrect her.
IMDb rating: 7/10
Rosario + Vampire (2008)
Rosario + Vampire follows Tsukune Aono, an ordinary high school student who fails to gain admission to any local high school. Desperate to continue his education, Tsukune’s parents enrol him in Yokai Academy, a boarding school for monsters hidden from human society.
Upon arriving at Yokai Academy, Tsukune quickly discovers the truth about his new classmates and the school’s curriculum. To blend in and avoid suspicion, he must keep his humanity a secret while navigating the challenges of attending a school filled with monsters. He then befriends several female students, including the beautiful vampire Moka Akashiya.
As Tsukune becomes entangled in the supernatural world of Yokai Academy, he finds himself drawn into various adventures and battles against dangerous monsters and dark forces.
IMDb rating: 6.9/10
Blood C (2011)
Saya Kisaragi is an ordinary high school girl living in the quiet town of Ukishima. Unknown to her classmates and friends, she is a skilled swordswoman tasked with protecting her town from monstrous creatures known as Elder Bairns.
As the dark anime series progresses, her peaceful life is shattered when she begins to experience strange and disturbing visions. These visions hint at a dark conspiracy lurking beneath the surface of Ukishima, involving her friends, her family and even herself.
IMDb rating: 6.2/10
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(Hero and feature image credit: Courtesy IMDb)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which is the best vampire-based anime?
The Case Study of Vanitas, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Shiki and Blood C are some of the best vampire-based anime series.
– Which is the best vampire-based romance anime?
Rosario+Vampire, Blood Lad and Blood+ are the best vampire-based romance anime.
– Which is the best vampire-based anime to watch on Netflix?
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure is the best vampire-based anime to watch on Netflix.
